Senior Project Engineer (Water Resources)

Salary : $116,220.26 - $141,265.80 Annually
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Classified
Job Number: 2023-186-1602-PW-CL
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 02/21/2024
Closing Date: 4/12/2024 5:30 PM Pacific
DESCRIPTION
At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in a collaborative environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive and grow while fulfilling our Mission.
The Mission of the Public Works Department is to provide the community with the sustainable foundation to thrive by delivering quality services and public infrastructure through efficient and fiscally responsible practices.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
As a City of Santa Barbara employee, the work that you do has a tangible impact on our community. We are about more than the bottom line; our work ensures the health and safety of residents and visitors, protects and preserves our architectural heritage and the natural environment, and enriches lives.
As City employees, we are the stewards of this beautiful place. Our job is to help the elected officials serve everyone in our community and ensure Santa Barbara continues to be a special place for future generations. This is an exciting, and sometimes demanding, responsibility. It is important work that you can be proud to perform. Discover more about us, our values, and our organizational culture here.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS & PAY
Earn an attractive compensation package including competitive pay, comprehensive health and welfare benefits, retirement, paid time off, flexible work policies, commuter support, training and educational reimbursement.
THE POSITION
The City of Santa Barbara's Public Works Department is searching for a Senior Project Engineer to deliver Water capital projects and support operations and maintenance (O&M) needs. Be part of a high performing team that works collaboratively to deliver Water Resources projects that benefit our community. This position is in the Engineering Division and will support the robust Water capital program by facilitating delivery of complex public works projects through design and construction and being an integral member of the Water team in supporting ongoing O&M needs. The Senior Project Engineer will perform the full range of project management, bid, and contract administration for capital improvement projects, maintenance and repair, and O&M projects. Working collaboratively and independently in a dynamic environment, the Senior Project Engineer will serve a vital role in bringing projects to fruition.
The Senior Project Engineer will independently manage all aspects of complex projects, both small and large, primarily focused on water distribution infrastructure and water treatment facilities. Regardless of the scale of the project, the Senior Project Engineer is expected to: facilitate the development of project goals and ensure support from all stakeholders; develop scopes of work aligned with project goals; develop project budgets and facilitate necessary budgetary actions; manage the selection of consultant support services; administer contracts; maintain financial records and make projections of project costs; coordinate construction activities with other City departments; keep stakeholders informed; involve the client when significant scope and cost changes are needed; manage City support staff and consultants to meet the goals of the project and client divisions; negotiate contract change orders; exercise professional engineering judgment in accordance with current professional practice and appropriate laws and codes; oversee the preparation of technical reports and correspondence; and perform related duties and responsibilities as required. The Senior Project Engineer must communicate effectively amongst stakeholders including, but not limited to, contractors, consultants, client divisions, City management, community members, and outside organizations.
The ideal candidate:

• Has strong technical Engineering and interpersonal skills and experience necessary to manage and deliver design and construction projects within a collaborative team environment.
• Has a proven track record of project management and contract administration experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully deliver projects.
• Understands the techniques of managing, scheduling, and monitoring multiple projects simultaneously to ensure timely completion within budget.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills (both orally and in writing).
• Is flexible and adaptable.
• Exercises good judgement in analyzing situations and making decisions.
• Utilizes a team approach to problem solving and effectively resolving conflict.
• Has public sector experience in the design and construction of water capital improvement projects and O&M activities for a drinking water system.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the advanced journey level class within the Project Engineer series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Project Engineer I/II by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned including independent facilitation of all aspects of complex public works projects, including the investigation, planning, design, review, permitting, and construction of capital improvement projects. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of civil engineering.
• Principles and practices of project and construction management; program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of complex engineering design.
• City design standards.
• Principles and practices of capital project financing and accounting.
• Terminology, methods, practices, and techniques used in technical civil engineering report preparation.
• Materials, tools, and equipment used in civil engineering.
• Principles and practices of capital budget development and administration.
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding civil engineering.
• Pertinent Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including civil engineering laws and regulations.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• State and Federal requirements for Grant funded projects.

Ability to:

• Develop, review and modify civil engineering plans, designs, and specifications.
• Participate in professional civil engineering activities for assigned projects.
• Prepare and maintain technical civil engineering records and prepare reports.
• Coordinate phases of construction projects and prepare progress reports.
• Manage complex engineering projects.
• Operate computer engineering systems and project management software.
• Participate in professional journey-level civil engineering activities for assigned projects.
• Develop RFPs for planning, design, and construction management services.
• Conduct engineering studies and develop appropriate recommendations.
• Perform technical research and solve engineering problems.
• Compile technical data and prepare statistical and narrative reports from field studies.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:Four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering experience.
Education and/or Training:Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field; or an equivalent combination of directly related education and experience is desirable.
License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:Possession of a valid driver's license.
Possession of an appropriate, valid Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer, in California is preferred.
5% Additional pay for registration as a California Professional Engineer.
SELECTION PROCESS
It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Public Works Department.
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.
OPEN & CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT: Because this recruitment is open and continuous, applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. The filing period for an open and continuous recruitment may be closed at any time.
FOR FIRST CONSIDERATION CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024.
THE SALARY RANGE consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent. STEP INCREASES, through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews. Employees receive annual performance reviews.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to collective bargaining:
Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.

• The City is a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership, which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• 9/80-Standard Citywide 9/80 work schedule with closures on alternate Fridays.
• Flexwork/Telecommuting is available.
• Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $64 / pay period.
• Vacation is accrued at 96 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Personal leave (32 hours) is provided each July 1st at the start of the fiscal year (pro-rated the first year).
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• Holidays: 10 holidays (80 hours) are observed / year.
• Retirement: PERS Miscellaneous formula: "Classic" members: 2.7% @ 55; employee contributes 8% of salary. "New" members: 2% @ 62; employee contributes 6.75% of salary. The City does not participate in Social Security.
• Insurance including medical, dental and vision benefits are available under a group plan. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: General Unit Rate Sheet.
• Employees who opt-out of the group insurance coverage may be eligible for a cash pay-out of up to $362.38 / month.
• Life Insurance: City-paid term life insurance ($50,000) is provided.
• Employee Assistance Program: A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their household.
• Long-term DisabilityInsurance is provided.
• State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) is provided. Employee pays 1% of salary (pre-tax).
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• Uniforms will be provided by the City to those employees required to wear a uniform.
• Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare. An equal amount is paid by the City.

01
Briefly describe your educational background that qualifies you for this position, including any special training. Be sure to include any specific education or training you have completed in the areas of Water Resources Engineering, project management, design, construction management, hydraulics, materials, or Resident Engineering.
02
Are you currently registered as a California Professional Civil Engineer (PE)? If not, do you plan to pursue licensure in the future?
03
Please describe your experience developing project scopes, designs, and bid documents relating to Water Resources engineering, including the associated cost, scale, and technical activities performed for each project.
04
Please detail your experience managing capital projects, including Water Resources . Please include your role in the oversight of the project, contract management, budgeting, cost tracking, scheduling, and methods used to negotiate changes in scope or unforeseen requirements of the project.
05
Please describe your experience working with regulatory agencies. Relevant examples would include any of the following agencies: Local (City and/or Regional) Zoning and/or Building and Safety review, California Environmental Quality Act, ...